Functions of Dental Assistant
Perform a variety of patient care, Office and Lab duties
Pre-cleaning
Removal of bioburden before disinfection (blood, saliva microbes etc...)
Hand washing
before, when contaminated (hole), after each patient
Instrument processing flow
dirty, clean, sterile, storage
Cavicide
surface disinfectant to reduce # of microbes and removal of blood and saliva
Ultrasonic scaler
removes plaque and calculus; doesn't go below gumline
Model Trimmer
A machine used to grind and contour gypsum cast models
Parts of a dental x-ray machine
Control panel, Tube head, Extension Arm
Radiopaque
substance does not allow x-rays to pass through and appears white or light gray on the resulting film
Radiolucency
Dark and black do not pass through X ray
Digital X ray vs Regular X-ray in regards to radiation
Digital uses less radiation (50-80%) than traditional X-ray
Acute radiation
large dose of radiation in short time (nuclear explosion, high does of radiation)
Chronic radiation
Small doses over a long period of time
Density
Blackness and darkness of a film. Controlled by mAs (milliam per second).
Elongated Image
insufficient v angulation (too flat)
forshortening
elongation
due to excessive vertical angulation (too step)
Most common X-ray in orthodontic patient
Cephalometric
Overall exposure to fluoride
Fluorosis
Best toothbrush
soft
What is demineralization?
where minerals, calcium & phosphates are lost from the enamel (tooth decay happens)
Steps for dental sealants
1. Select the tooth 2.Check with air/water 3. Clean the enamel 4. Isolate and dry the tooth( teeth) 5. Etch the enamel 6. Rinse the Etched enamel 7. Dry the etched enamel 8. Apply the sealant 9. Light cure the sealant 10. Evaluate the sealant 11. Wipe the
State Dental Practice Act
Specifies the legal requirements for an individual to practice dentistry in the state (NC Board of Dental Examiners).
What is on patient registration form
Demographic and financial information about the patient / person who is responsible for payment of dental fees.
Patient charts
The record serves as the communication link among all members of the health care team regarding the patient's status, care provided, and progress. The chart is a legal document that describes the patient's health, lists diagnostic and therapeutic procedur
medical emergencies
Life threats that require EMS attention because of illnesses or conditions not caused by an outside force.
(CPR)
Block anesthesia
used mostly to anesthetize mandibular teeth-solution is injected by a major nerve
infiltration anesthesia
injection of a local anesthetic directly into the tissue
Induction of anesthesia
IV lines initiated, preoperative medications given, airway secured
Nitrous Oxide
most commonly used to relieve pain. Inhalation anesthetic.Makes patient feel warm and tingly. Used to relax patient and reduce fear and control pain.
Most resistant form of life
spores
Which nerve is primary source of innervation?
Trigeminal nerve
pulp
soft tissue within a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels
apex
tip of the tooth root.
enamel
crown portion of tooth (what you see)
Dentin
sensitive part of teeth
Irreversible pulpitis
Infectious condition in which the pulp is incapable of healing, which would then require root canal therapy or extraction.
What is necrosis?
tissue death
Dry sockets
alveolar osteitis when blood clot disloges.
Complete mouth rinse
A rinse that is generally performed once all oral procedures have been completed
Limited area rinsing
Performed frequently throughout a procedure- accomplished quickly and efficiently
Extrinsic stains
Stains that occur on the external (outside) surfaces of the teeth that may be removed by polishing. Ex: Tea, coffee and tobacco.
Intrinsic stains
stains that are incorporated into the tooth structure, usually during the tooth's development
Sealants
clear or shaded plastic material applied to the occlusal surfaces (pits and fissures) of permanent teeth.
Dark room "safe light" should be at least
4 ft
Overlapping on teeth is most likely caused by
incorrect horizontal angulation
when exposing the mandibular molar area, what is the position of the film?
centered on the 2nd premolar
the harmful effect of x-rays are caused by
ionization
When loading anesthetic syringe what goes 1st
1.cartridge, 2.needle
Class 1
decay in the pits and fissures of the occlusal surface.
Class 2
Decay in the proximal (mesial and distal) surfaces of premolars and molars
Class 3
Decay in the proximal surface of incisors and canines involves anterior teeth
Class 4
Decay in the proximal (mesial and distal) surfaces involves EDGES OR ANGELS of canines and incisors
Class 5
Decay is diagnosed in the gingival third of the facial or lingual surface of any tooth (gum line)
Class 6
Decay on the incisal edge of anterior teeth and the cusps of tips of posterior teeth
The benefits of dental radiographs include:
Detection of dental caries in the early stages
identification of early stages of bone loss
evaluation of growth and development
Any exposure to radiation no matter how small has the potential to cause harm to the operator and the patient
true
The DA must use proper protective measures to prevent occupational exposure to radiation these measures include
Radiation monitoring and equipment monitoring
Not holding film in patients mouth
Never standing closer than six feet from X-ray unit during exposure
The term----is used to describe areas on the radiography that appear dark on the radiograph----is the term used to describe areas that appear white or light gray
radiolucent, radiopaque
The standard classification system used to describe the location of
decay and the best method for restoring the tooth was developed by
GV.BLACK
Gingival retraction cord can be filled with a solution that acts as a vasoconstrictor to control bleeding during the taking of the final
impression.
True
A removable partial denture replaces only one tooth in an arch
True
Completion and healing of any dental treatment must occur before the
prep of the prosthesis begins
True
A partial denture is supported and stabilized by pontics
true
Before the dentist takes the final impressions for a partial denture a
retraction cord is placed around the abutment teeth to ensure an
accurate impression
True
The appointment should be scheduled for a denture patient after the
case has been sent to the lab is called the try in appointment
true
Three measurements frequently used by dental lab techs when
constructing a complete denture are
protrusion,retrusion and centric
relation
An immediate denture is one that is placed immediately after the wax
try in appointment
True
A periodontal pocket occurs when the disease causes the normal
gingival sulcus to become deeper than normal
true
The ______is an instrument calibrated in millimeters that is used to
locate and measure the depth of periodontal pockets
Periodontal probe
Diagnostics and treatment of oral tissues supporting and surrounding
teeth.
-Periodontist
Dental assistants should be immunized for
-Hep a
-Tetanus
Regulatory agency whose role is to cut down on exposures in the
workplace
OSHA
Chemicals that destroy or inactive most species of pathogenic
microorganisms
-Disinfectants
Bloodborne disease causing organisms
-Hbv, Hiv, Hcv
Not doing something that should have been done is the act of
Omission
The purpose of a state dental practice act is to offer
Laws to protect the public the public from imcompetent dental health
care providers
Who interprets the implements the state dental practice act of
regulations
The state board of dentistry
Which of the following is a requirement of direct supervision
The dentist must examine the patient before delegating the procedure
The dentist must examine the procedure after it is completed
The dental assistant must be legally qualified
A dental assistant who performs a function that is not delegated under
the dental practice act of the state in which he or she practices is
Performing an illegal act
Practicing dentistry without a license
Performing a criminal act
Patients have a right to access and retrieve their records and
radiographs
True
The patients technically owns their patient records and radiographs
False
Critical information that the dental team must have before providing
dental treatment or care includes
Patient registration (personal patient information)
Medical dental health history (overall health status)
Medical alert information(medical concerns for patient)
All dental practices now have a written privacy policy required
by__________that must inform the patient that the office will not use or
disclose protected health info.
HIPPA
Vitals signs include taking and recording of
Temp and pluse
Respiration
Blood pressure
The most common site for taking a patient's pulse in the dental office
is the
Radial artery
The normal pulse rate of a resting adult is
80-100
The amount of labor the heart must exert to pump blood throughout
the body is known as
blood pressure
Who is responsible for providing medical emergency care for a patient
in the dental office
Dentist
Dental assistant
Office staff
The procedure that most frequently used to relieve pain in dentistry is
Local anesthesia
The ________the ratio the higher the percentage of vasoconstrictor on
the anesthetic agent
Smaller
The parts of the anesthetic syringe include
The thumb ring, finger grip and finger bar
The harpoon and piston rod
The barrel and threaded tip
Nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia use in dentistry dates back to 1844
and is also referred to as
Inhalation sedation
In block anesthesia the anesthesia solution is injected into the nerve
trunk
True
During Nitrous Oxide administration a patient may experience
sensations of warmth and tingling
True